Spanning roughly 386 meters along LiuXia Street, the LiuXia Old Street Hangzhou Historic Area is adorned with four ancient bridges and steeped in the city’s rich heritage. This charming district offers a vivid glimpse into Hangzhou’s storied past.
A Historic Riverside Town
LiuXia’s history runs deep. By the Qing Dynasty, records describe LiuXia Town as a thriving market with five to six hundred households. A river wound through its heart, crossed by stone bridges and flanked by distinctive homes built along the water’s edge. Local elders recall the vibrant tea market near Chashi New Village, where riverside houses served as shops in the front and homes in the back. Merchants would row in to trade vegetables, fruits, and goods, creating such a lively scene that crossing the crowded streets was nearly impossible.
Today, the district has been thoughtfully restored, with a handful of residences still showcasing traditional architectural features and historic elements, preserving the essence of old Hangzhou.
The Four Ancient Bridges of LiuXia
Central to the charm of the LiuXia Old Street Hangzhou Historic District are its four historic bridges—Zhongyi, Old Yingchun, Old Qingchun, and Old Lingci—each a testament to the town’s enduring legacy.
Zhongyi Bridge: The oldest and grandest, Zhongyi Bridge is Hangzhou’s most ancient single-arch stone bridge. Known locally as “Big Bridge,” it stands as a proud symbol of the city’s heritage.
Old Yingchun Bridge: Located about 50 meters south of Zhongyi Bridge, this bridge was rebuilt in 1763 during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, though its original construction date remains unknown.
Old Qingchun Bridge: Roughly 50 meters north of Zhongyi Bridge, this bridge was also reconstructed during the Qianlong period, adding to the area’s historic allure.
Old Lingci Bridge: Found about 50 meters north of LiuXia Bridge, Gulingci Bridge was built in 1795 during the Qianlong era. Positioned at the river’s lower end, it historically guarded LiuXia, Hangzhou’s “first town” outside the Qiantang Gate.
The LiuXia Old Street Hangzhou Historic Area is a concentrated treasure of heritage, vividly preserving the architectural style and local character of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. With its ancient bridges and traditional ambiance, it holds significant historical and cultural value, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience Hangzhou’s timeless charm.